I love this thing, really I do -- it is proof that God loves us and wants us to not be bored to death by bad bartenders -- but did the sign on there say �1000? �That's almost $11. �Survey says, perhaps. �Good article here on the Japanese beer market, which has led to bad beer.

Update: �Looked like the fellow was going to get change at the end, yes? �Looks like the sign on the right says �400. �You have to have a �1000 note to buy a �400 beer? �Who puts up with this sort of thing? ��400 would be rather cheap for a beer, so maybe it's�happoshu.

Labels: beer, economics

I can hear the Elder crying. The WSJ tells us that increases in grain prices are causing an increase in the price of beer.

Craft beer makers have faced escalating costs over the past year. Prices for malting barley, which accounts for a beer's color and sweetness, have jumped as farmers increasingly shifted to planting corn, which has been bringing higher prices because of high demand from makers of biofuels, like ethanol. The weak dollar also has made it more expensive for U.S. brewers to buy commodities from Europe.

The news worsened for craft brewers significantly in recent weeks. Firms that turn barley into brewing malt informed craft brewers of price increases ranging from 40% to 80%, and hops suppliers announced increases ranging from 20% to 100%, depending on the variety of hops.

I am thinking of trading my Touareg in and was looking at flexible fuel vehicles. I now see I would just be shooting myself in the six-pack and burrito.

Labels: beer, economics